January 30, 2025

Assisting a parent with excessive clutter

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Assisting a parent with excessive clutter

Scale of hoarding conditions impact approximately 6% of Americans 65 or older.

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My parent has always saved a large number of items. Since my other parent passed away, the clutter has become overwhelming. Do you have suggestions on how I can help?

Unfortunately, hoarding disorder or clutter addiction is a problem that has become increasingly common in the United States. It impacts approximately 6% of individuals 65 or older. The conditions can vary from moderate clutter to severe hoarding classified as a mental health concern, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Here is what you should know, along with some tips and resources that can help your parent.

Why People Hoard The reason most people hoard is because they have an extreme sentimental attachment to their possessions or believe they might need their items at a later date. Hoarding can also be a sign that an older person is depressed, anxious or showing early symptoms of dementia.

Common problems for individuals who live in excessive clutter are tripping, falling and injuring themselves, as well as having difficulty keeping track of bills and medications. They may also encounter environmental hazards like mold, mildew, dust, and the presence of insects and rodents.

What to Do The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) offers a free resource known as the “Clutter to Hoarding Scale,” an assessment tool to help you gauge your parent’s situation. You can download it by visiting ChallengingDisorganization.org, navigating to the “Resources & Tools” tab and then clicking on the “Clutter-Hoarding Scale.”

There are several things you can do if you find that your parent exhibits a moderate cluttering problem. Begin by having a conversation with them, expressing your concern for their health and safety and offering your assistance to help them declutter. If they accept, most professional organizers recommend decluttering in small steps. Take one room at a time or even a portion of a room at a time. This will help prevent your parent from feeling overwhelmed.

Before you start, designate three piles or boxes for your parent’s belongings – one for items they want to keep and put away, another for items they want to donate and a throwaway pile. You and your parent will need to determine which pile to place things in as you work. If there is a struggle with multiple sentimental items that are not being used, suggest keeping only one item for memory’s sake and giving away the rest to family members who will use them. You will also need to help your parent set up a system for organizing the items kept and new possessions.

Find Help If you need help, consider hiring a professional organizer who can come to your parent’s home to help you prioritize, organize and remove the clutter. The ICD and the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO.net) both offer directories on their websites to help you locate a professional in your area.

If your parent’s excessive clutter significantly impacts their daily functioning, or is causing financial difficulties, health problems or other issues, you will need to seek professional help. Therapy or antidepressants may help with issues such as anxiety, depression and other feelings that may underline hoarding tendencies. Be sure to have your parent consult their primary physician to determine if these options are appropriate for them.

To locate assistance in your area, search online for companies that provide free education, counseling and referral services for older adults and their families managing excessive clutter. Use keywords like “organizational management” to locate organizations near you. For help with extensive cleanup needs, consider searching online for specialized local companies that primarily focus on hoarding and clutter cleanup.

“Savvy Living” is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to NBC’s “Today Show.” The column, and others like it, is available to read via The American Legion’s Office of Fund Development, a way of establishing your legacy of support for the organization while providing for your current financial needs. Consider naming The American Legion in your will or trust as a part of your personal legacy. Learn more about the process, and the variety of charitable programs you can benefit, at legion.org/plannedgiving. Clicking on “Learn more” will bring up an “E-newsletter” button, where you can sign up for regular information from the office.

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